• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Back to 4!

#44
Mike M. said:
Which basses do you have the Hip Shots on? If I go with this I'd like to try one on either my MIJ Classic 70's P bass, or on my American Standard Jazz bass.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

An '06 Gibson Thunderbird, an '06 MIM Deluxe P Bass Special, and an '08 Am St Jazz - three different types, and all three work great... Just be sure to install, setup, and tune according to the directions, and use a pencil to put a little graphite in the nut slot... I check mine with a Strobostomp, and they're very repeatable and accurate - it's WAY convenient at a gig to just flip a lever and go back and forth between standard and drop tuning...


- georgestrings
 
#47
djm150 said:
Tune BEAD and be happy
Click to expand...

So far that has been my route, though I have to admit that just yesterday I sampled some FiveBangers at Guitar Center. My RBX is flat worn out and I'll have the opportunity to replace it soon with another cheapy, but a new one this time. One of those evil fivers would mean no longer restringing the twice a year my buddies want to play rockstar and cover all that Korny stuff.

On the other hand, there are so many more cool fours for three bills. Might just have the BEAD the RBX and leave it in the closet. Yeah, fours win.
 
#48
BlueTalon said:
It is not a matter of concern as much as you might fear. The magicians and blacksmiths at the foundries of Hipshot have developed a carriage that may bring us safely to the far shores of the seas of D. Many of the Cult of 4 travel there often.
Click to expand...

And their magic is very potent indeed! Bear witness, for I shall tell you the tale!

The sorcerers of lofty Mt. Hipshot have empowered me to brave the Seas of D by way of their mighty and cunning machinations. Verily, upon my Dyne of Aero have I traversed those treacherous waters and lived to offer these truths. And lo, does this humble traveler inscribe them into the very memory of the Almighty Forum of Bass-Talk. So, it is thus…

No floppiness!
No regrets!
No fear of the dark waters of the deep, deep "D"!

…and it is, as the Beatniks of Olde have said, "Cool, man."
 
#49
unclejane said:
Really, In my view, the only reasons I can think of not to play a 5+ are ergonomics and tone. If you can physically handle the wider neck, extra weight, etc., I don't see why not. Also, sometimes the 5+ models of a bass have a different tone because of the different construction. My Bunny 6 for example sounds very different from the 4, even though they're utterly identical in every other respect (I ordered them that way with the same woods, pickups, fingerboard style, etc). The 4 is more wooly but the 6 has a sharper, harder sound, even with the big humbucker at the bridge. But its far and away the tone I prefer.

LS
Click to expand...

This. I've heard some go as far as to claim that they are different instruments. Four-strings and fives are both basses, but they do not respond the same and tonality differs. I enjoy both, and for me, the four-string still "feels like home". IME, I haven't found a fiver that 'punches' like a four. I would attribute this to differences in the attack and decay characteristics. Hmm...makes me think I should string up a BEAD one of these days simply because I have yet to do that. :cool:
 
#53
I started out on a four, after about a year I switched to a five because I primarily played Urban Gospel and the keys are typically b-flat, e-flat, a-flat, and d-flat, and I liked being able to go lower on those keys. For a while I had 2 fives and a four; I sold the last five a year ago. I still play Gospel, I just play it on my four and I'm ok with that. Side note: my four is fretless and I'm pretty sure I won't ever go back to a fretless bass either.

I echo the sentiments of most of the responses here: play what works for you. Play what makes you happy. For me, it's an MIM Fender fretless Jazz 4 in blue agave. I admire my fellow TB'ers who have multiple basses, but I don't aspire to join them. Although there was a time when I thought I did.

On the other hand, ask me how many watches I own... :-)
 
#54
mcm said:
Sorry boys but 5's are for dorks. 4 all the way
Click to expand...

Based on the "Dungeons and Dragons"-speak in this thread, they're both for dorks. :p

Forsooth, even Bassist4Eris, that proud heathen from the lands of Progressive and Fusion, that doth wield both the 6 and the 8, weareth the mantle of High Dorkiness.

But hark, even such heathens as I do returneth to our P-basses, strung with flats, in order that we may worship at the Holy Shrines of Jamerson and Duck.

OK, I'm not as good at this as you guys. :) But what I'm trying to say is that although I prefer the 6-string bass, I never lost my love for playing the four-string. I haven't gigged one in years, but I also haven't done a covers gig in years, something I'm considering changing. I'd love to be in a blues band, and you can bet I'd bring my P for that.

I also have my first pro, for-hire recording session coming up. I definitely intend to bring the P-with-flats as my main bass. I have a J-style Carvin 4-stringer, but will probably bring my Carvin 6 instead as my alternate. I don't currently own a fiver, so this will give me both a B string, and a bass with a more modern tone (and roundwound strings) in case the artist or producer wants something different than a P-bass (yeah right ;))
 
#55
People with their generalizing are so funny to me. My second teacher had a five, so I learned on a five and it ended up serving me well. I play fours, too. Whatever works. I've been a pro player since age nineteen and do very well in music - always have. It has more to do with your attitude, your voice, and your feel than your gear. But then - any pro knows that. Gotta run - off to make some of that elusive dough with my fiver for the ninth time this week, counting sessions. LOL. Hey, at least it rhymed.
 
#56
mcm said:
Sorry boys but 5's are for dorks. 4 all the way
Click to expand...

Malak the Mad said:
<sigh> And here I was, trying to keep the peace. :rollno:
Click to expand...

Agreed Malak. Some people are just not mature enough to understand the concept of friendly spirited debate. And let's make sure we drain all the humor out of the conversations so they are as dry as cardboard & burnt toast. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. ;)
 
#57
spiritbass said:
This. I've heard some go as far as to claim that they are different instruments. Four-strings and fives are both basses, but they do not respond the same and tonality differs. I enjoy both, and for me, the four-string still "feels like home". IME, I haven't found a fiver that 'punches' like a four. I would attribute this to differences in the attack and decay characteristics. Hmm...makes me think I should string up a BEAD one of these days simply because I have yet to do that. :cool:
Click to expand...

Yepper. I wish I still had some recording equipment, I'd love to illustrate the difference in tone between my Bunnies. The 4 and 6 are completely identical down to the woods and options, except for the neck pickup. But even with just the bridge HB, they sound way different. The 6 you can barely identify as a Bunny, really, while the 4 sounds exactly like Bunny Brunel.....

LS
 
#58
I've been playing a 5er for four years now. While I enjoy it, I'm torn on the issue. Part of me says get a 6, part of me says get a 4 tuned DGCF with a Hipshot Drop Tune key, and part of me says stick with 5er.

Lots of options out there and that's the fun of it!
 
#59
smogg said:
Agreed Malak. Some people are just not mature enough to understand the concept of friendly spirited debate. And let's make sure we drain all the humor out of the conversations so they are as dry as cardboard & burnt toast. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. ;)
Click to expand...

I thought mcm was just poking fun - atleast that's how I took it...


- georgestrings
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back